Few causes age the body faster than wilful indolence and monotony of mind—the mind, that very principle of physical youthfulness.
—James Lane Allen.
“To speak wisely may not always be easy, but not to speak ill requires only silence.”
If you have not slept, or if you have slept, or if you have a headache, or sciatica, or leprosy, or thunder stroke, I beseech you by all the angels to hold your peace, and not pollute the morning, to which all the housemates bring serene and pleasant thoughts, by corruptions and groans.
—Emerson.
“‘Downward the path of life!’ Oh, no!
Up, up, with patient steps, I go;
I watch the skies fast brightening there;
I breathe a sweeter, purer air.”
Happiness rarely is absent. It is we that know not of its presence. The greatest felicity avails us nothing if we know not that we are happy.